Two hours later, Torrid awoke. She was drowsy, but emerging
from the blissful afterglow of making love to Drelica. Wow. She
really needed a cigarette, but she had quit smoking. She
stretched and yawned and rolled over and rested her head on one
shoulder so she could watch her sleeping angel.

She reached out and ran her fingers through Drelica's
hair and petted her softly. She smiled, and leaned in to kiss the
soft angelic locks.

"Sweet dreams, baby girl." Torrid whispered to
Drelica's sleeping form. Nothing could have dragged Torrid
out of the bed, except the overwhelming urge to empty her
bladder.

Crap. I gotta pee.

Quietly, Torrid tip toed into the bathroom and closed the door
behind her. Drelica slept on, having been spent thoroughly.

"So where is she?" Alexander Coburn asked as he
checked his watch for the third time.

Rick looked up from waxing his board and shrugged.
"Don't know dude."

"Well I don't like it."

"Dude, why do you care? They're lesbians.
It's not like you're going to get any." Rick
laughed.

"I wouldn't be too sure about that, Ricky
boy." Alex smirked, as he popped open a can of beer.

"God Alex, you're kinda pathetic you know that?
There's chicks fallin' all over you and you want to
go for the dykes. Well, if you get your ass kicked, you sure will
have earned it. Even I know better than to go messing around with
that Torrid chick."

"You have no sense of adventure, my friend." Alex
said with his usual smugness.

"And you have no sense!" Rick laughed.

Drelica woke to the annoying sound of a phone ringing. She
opened one eye, and leered at the offending object.

"Fuck," she muttered as she reached for the
receiver. "Hello?"

"Drelica Truman?"

"Yesh," she said still lying against the pillow.

"Oh hey, did I wake you? I'm so sorry!"

"Who'd thish?"

"Alex Coburn. You were at my party last night."

"Oh hey Alex, yeah, we were sleeping in this
morning. You know...vacation and all?"

"Oh okay, sorry. Torrid had said she'd go surfing
with us today and we're already on the beach."

Drelica growled to herself. She was a little annoyed that
suddenly they were sharing their vacation with Alex Coburn. Who
the hell was Alex Coburn anyway? She chastised herself for
snapping at him, even if it was in her head, but she was tired
and cranky.

"Hang on, Alex-I'll put her on."

"That'd be great!" Alex smiled.

Drelica went to the bathroom and knocked gently on the door.
"Babe-your friend is on the phone."

"What? Who?" Torrid said from the other side of
the door.

"Alex Coburn wants to know if Torrid can come out to
play with him and the boys."

"Shit." Torrid sighed. "Tell him to leave a
number and I'll call him back."

"Alex-" Drelica said into the phone.

"I heard, Drelica. But could you just ask her to talk to
me for a second?"

Drelica rolled her eyes. This was getting ridiculous.
"Babe, he wants to talk to you."

"Torrid, don't tease me, you know how much I want
to see the volcanoes!"

Torrid smiled, she loved the way Drelica looked when she was
being teased, it was downright cute. Drelica was a whole universe
unto herself to be explored, and Torrid was greatly excited about
the prospect. So this is love, huh? she thought, it
doesn't suck.

The view of Kilauea was breathtaking. Being near the molten
center of the earth was an experience neither woman was truly
prepared for. It touched them on so many levels, not just
intellectually but also emotionally and spiritually.
Torrid shed a tear at the amazing beauty of the island. Drelica
reached up and wiped it away. She placed a kiss on Torrid's
cheek.
"Amazing, babe. Just amazing."

"Yeah. I never ever thought it would be so cool. I can feel
creation in the souls of my feet!"

"Why Torrid, I do believe there's a bit of a
romantic hiding under all that ink." Drelica teased.

"Just for you Dre." Torrid offered Drelica a
beautiful island flower. Drelica blushed as she leaned forward
for Torrid to tuck the flower behind her ear. She looked into
Torrid's eyes; the first time since they had made love.
Beautiful blue crystals shined back at her, and she noticed she
tiny crinkles in the corners of Torrid's eyes as Torrid
smiled.

"I'm going to get some shots while you do your
proctologist stuff, babe." Torrid teased, taking her camera
out of its pouch.

"Hey!" Drelica said, giving Torrid a mock punch in
the arm, but softening to a smile and a girlish giggle when
Torrid stuck her tongue out in play.

The smell of ash, lava and the salt of the sea was a strange
yet pleasant experience, Torrid noted to herself. She felt very
close to creation, and rebirth. Suddenly all of the recent
hardships and traumas began to fade away, and the stresses that
impacted so heavily on the pair, also began to disappear. A new
and refreshed awareness was taking root inside them both, and
something told Torrid it was a direct result of their
bonding.
Torrid sighed happily as she clicked the shutter over and over,
taking photos of the breathtaking vista. This was a day she
definitely wanted to remember.

"Alex, surf's up man, you coming or not?"
Rick asked his brooding buddy.

"You go on without me, there's something I have to
do."

"Oh no, not that Torrid chick again? Dude, let it
go!" Rick sighed.

"I can't. There's something about the two of
them. Something---I want."

"You're obsessed. This is getting weird, man. You
better think this over, cause you're being a total buzz
kill."

"I will. I got better things to do with my time than
hang with a drama queen." Rick laughed, not really
kidding.

Alex sat back in his chair and sipped his beer. He watched his
friends paddle out to the waves as he lost himself thinking about
Torrid and Drelica.

It was late afternoon when Torrid and Drelica got back to their
bungalow. They had spent a wonderful day together, and were about
to shower and change and go out for a romantic dinner somewhere
on the island.

Drelica gathered up her daypack and camera and moved her hand
to open the door of the jeep when Torrid stopped her.

"Babe, wait."

"What is it?" Drelica puzzled.

"Something's not right." Torrid scanned the
bungalow with her blue eyes, spotting something in the shadows on
the porch. "Someone's up there---hiding. Stay
here."

"Torrid-be careful!"

Torrid got out of the jeep and walked casually up to the
porch. She stopped when she got to the top of the steps, and
leaned against the porch railing, and folded her arms across her
chest.

"Hey, Torrid. You didn't show up, and you never
called me back. I was checking in to see if you two were
okay." Alex said nervously.

"We're fine. Thanks for stopping by."

"Is there something wrong?" Alex asked.

"You tell me." Torrid replied, sizing him up.

"Well I thought we were friends. I invited you to spend
the day with us, and to my luau last night, didn't
I?"

"And we already thanked you. What more do you
want?"

"I thought we were going to hang together---you know?
Party all week. "

"Party?" Torrid said, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, you know? Party."

"No. I don't know. We had dinner with you, we
accepted your hospitality, but thanked you. If that's not
enough, I am sorry. I don't know what you think you deserve
in return, but I am here to spend the week with my partner. Not
hang with the boys. No offense."

"Well, I am disappointed. I thought you were
cool." Alex said, stepping into the light from the shadows.
He looked really creepy.

"I am cool. But I am not a toy. Neither is my partner.
So thanks for stopping by-as I already said."

"Alex, if you don't leave now, I'm going to
kick the living shit out of you." Torrid said as cold as
ice.

"You can't touch me-I'm Alex Coburn.
I'll have you arrested if you lay a finger on me. I have a
lot of friends on this island!"

"Aparently, we no longer fit into that category, since
now you want me in jail. Leave."

"No."

"Excuse me?"

"Make me."

That was it. Torrid stood up and took a step toward the very
drunk, and very stupid man. He took a step backwards, then
emerged again from the shadows with a diving knife.

"Bitch, I'll slice you wide open!"

Torrid laughed.

"What's so fucking funny?"

"You. Get out of here before I stick that toothpick up
your virgin ass."

Alex lunged at Torrid swiping at her with the blade, but she
avoided him easily, and offered up an elbow to the center of his
back at the base of his neck, causing him to fall forward and
down the steps onto the gravel. Alex stumbled to his feet,
really angry and disoriented. He staggered to the jeep, forcing
the door open, he grabbed Drelica into a headlock and raised the
blade to her throat.

"I'll cut her throat!"

"Alex? What are you doing?" Drelica plead.

"Shut up!" Alex hissed at Drelica.

Torrid stepped closer to Alex, silently closing the distance
while Alex screamed at Drelica. Torrid was as calm as a pool of
water, as focused as a lazer. She knew that if she didn't
do this perfectly, the woman she loved would be hurt or killed.
She was tired of people trying to hurt her and those she
loved.

"Alex, what is it you want?" Torrid asked.

"Don't move, bitch! I'll cut her wide
open!" Alex dragged Drelica out of the jeep, and pushed her
down onto the ground.

Torrid skipped forward and disarmed him with a crescent kick
sending his weapon flying off to the ground. Alex lunged for the
knife again, but as he moved, Drelica grabbed his legs in a
scissor lock with hers, and pulled him back down to the ground.
He grabbed her hair, but before he could inflict any further harm
to her, Torrid broke his wrist with a knife hand strike, and
struck his jaw with a back-fist punch, knocking him
unconscious.

Torrid rushed to Drelica's side, and helped her up.
"Babe? You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Shook up...pissed
off....but I'll be fine." Just then Drelica
burst into tears and Torrid held her close.

Torrid took Drelica inside and laid her on the bed. She
soothed her till she fell into a light sleep. It had already been
a full day for them both, and they were looking forward to a
quiet evening wining and dining in the tropical romance of the
islands. Torrid scowled when she thought of their spoiled plans.
She had unfinished business with Mr. Alex Coburn.

Alex Coburn woke up with a killer pain in his jaw. His head
was throbbing, and he could taste metal and salt in his mouth;
blood.

"Oh shit," he groaned as he rolled over on the
gravel where he fell.

"Wake the fuck up, Casanova." A cold female voice
cut through the haze and the sudden chill of ice water splashing
on him shocked him fully awake.

"Fuck! Are you crazy??"

"Quit whining college boy. You and me are going to have
a little talk."

Torrid crouched down near Alex. She reached down and took him by
the ear jerking him up suddenly causing him to shout in pain.

"Ow! Fuck!"

"What the fuck is wrong with you? Huh?" Torrid
asked calmly.

"Fuck off, bitch. I'll see you in jail for this.
You know who I am!" Alex spat.

"I only know you like throwing your name around, punk.
But you know what? I don't give a shit who you are. You
threatened me and my partner, and now---we're going to
settle this shit, one way or the other."

Torrid grabbed him by the hair and pulled his head back,
exposing his throat. She pulled Alex's diving knife from
her boot. His eyes widened with fear as he felt the cold steel
against his skin.

"Oh shit, Torrid---please! I was just trying to scare
you! I wasn't really going to hurt her! I swear!"

"But you did hurt her. And now I'm going to hurt
you." Torrid's voice was ice cold.

"My dad-he'll press charges. I'm the son
of Dirk Coburn! He'll have you arrested!"

Torrid laughed.

"Dirk Coburn, the international male adventurer and
arctic explorer? You're going to tell him you got beat up
by a girl?"

She let go of Alex's hair and pushed him away. He
scraped his palms on the gravel as he stopped himself from
falling on his face. He looked up at Torrid who stood over him
laughing. He cowered from her long shadow.

"Alex-it's over. Just go." She
couldn't stop laughing, "Go before you piss
yourself---again."

Alex sat there crying. Torrid turned to see Drelica standing
on the porch of the bungalow arms folded in front of her.
Shit.

"Torrid Duncan!"

"Dre-he tried to hurt you. He's lucky
he's not dead."

Drelica went to Alex's side and checked his wounds. His
hands were scraped and his nose and mouth were bloodied.

"Babe-we're better than this. Get me the
first aid kit."

"What? You're shitting me?"

Drelica furrowed her brow and pointed to the bungalow.
"Go."

Alex looked up at Drelica who wiped away the dirt from his
cheeks with the hem of her skirt.

"Why are you being nice to me? I don't deserve
it." He asked, confused.

"No. You don't. But like I said, we're
better than this."

Drelica accepted the first aid kit from a very stoic and silent
Torrid who said nothing but remained on vigil in ass kicking
mode. She did not like Drelica being in such close proximity to
the man who just moments before tried to hurt her, but she could
not help but be moved by her lover's compassion.

"Alex," Drelica said, "You deserved to have
your ass kicked for what you did."

"I know." He relented. "I'm sorry,
Drelica."

"I believe you." Drelica answered as she cleaned
and dressed his wounds. "Now go inside and clean yourself
in the bathroom...you smell like pee."

Drelica stood up and went to Torrid. She hugged her close, but
Torrid hesitated to put her arms around Drelica. She was slightly
peeved for being second guessed, and her pride was wounded.
Drelica made her appear whipped.

"Torrid? I'm sorry."

"It's cool." Torrid said, but Drelica knew she
was being all dark and brooding. It really wasn't cool.

"Babe, I love it that you're my hero. But I
don't want you to be my tool for vengeance."

Torrid looked down at Drelica, and as their eyes met, she
softened. She understood.
Torrid wrapped her arms around Drelica and kissed the top of her
head.

"Well, what should we do about dinner?" Torrid
asked.

Just then Alex Coburn emerged from the bungalow wrapped in a
beach towel, holding his urine-stained pants in his hand.

"Let's cook him." Drelica said
smirking.

"Great idea." Torrid said, putting her arms around
Drelica and kissing her forehead.

CHAPTER EIGHT: E lei kau,
e lei ho`oilo i ke aloha.

"Love is worn like a wreath through
the summers and the winters.
Love is everlasting."

"Welcome to AIOLI'S " the waiter said, as he
seated Torrid and Drelica at their table.

"Thanks," Torrid said, taking the menu from him and
winking, "We could really use some drinks, so if you could
start us a tab and keep them coming, I'll make it worth
your while."

"No problem, I'll take care of it.
Enjoy."

Drelica played footsy under the table with Torrid as she eyed her
menu. "I thought we'd never get here! I am
starved!"

Torrid grinned, "So what else is new?"

"Hey!" Drelica said, playfully swatting at Torrid
with her menu. "I worked up an appetite. It's been an
eventful day, or hadn't you noticed?"

"That's true. It's not every day I get to
kick a playboy's ass." Torrid chuckled.

"Torrid-that's not funny. What if
you'd injured him seriously?" Drelica scolded.

"Babe, I don't want to argue about it, but I want
you to know that I appreciate you being there for me. God knows
you have been there for me like no one ever has. I don't
know what I'd do without you-I-" Drelica
paused as the waiter approached to take a drink order. Torrid
frowned. She was not happy with the constant interruptions they
had been experiencing since their arrival on the big Island.
Drelica hid her frustration behind her menu.

"Are you ready to order?" The waiter asked.

"Uh...bring us a pitcher or mai tais and an
appetizer. I don't care what---just surprise us."
Torrid said, eager to get back to her conversation with
Drelica.

"Very good."

Drelica smiled at Torrid and reached out to take her hand as
the waiter exited toward the kitchen. She sensed Torrid's
tension, and wanted to calm her lover down. She understood that
they needed some time to bond, talk and get to know each other.
And she also sensed that Torrid needed some reassuring as to the
state of their relationship.

Do they have a relationship? If so, what is the nature of it?
Drelica's head began to swim the instant she filled it with
all those thoughts.

"Oh man, I totally need that drink!" Drelica said,
half to herself, and half to Torrid.

"I'm feeling it too." Torrid said. "We
need to talk, but every time we start, someone butts in.
It's driving me fucking nuts. What were you about to say
before we were interrupted?"

Just as Drelica was about to open her mouth, the waiter returned
with drinks and a seafood appetizer of coconut shrimp. Torrid
began to laugh at the irony, and Drelica joined in. Smiling a
thank you to the waiter, Torrid poured them each a drink and
offered a toast.

"Here's to-finishing a
conversation"

"Before we are both retirement age!" Drelica
added.

The touched glasses and took a sip. It felt good going down;
smooth and fruity with a little kick of heat.
Drelica smiled back at Torrid who sat watching her with
fascination as she devoured the shrimp.

"What?" Drelica asked, feeling a bit shy about
being stared at so intently.

"I was just wondering-" Torrid teased.

"Wondering what?"

"Do you have a small dog in your lap? Or a hollow
leg?"

"What? Oh that's not funny!" Drelica
pouted.

Torrid chuckled. She was of course, just playing with Drelica,
and flashed her a sheepish smile. Torrid continued to stare at
Drelica. She couldn't take her eyes off of her.

"I love you." She said softly, almost whispering.

Drelica smiled. She felt warm inside, hearing the words spoken
to her, and she knew them to be sincere. She was overcome with
emotion, and her eyes misted. "I love you too,
Torrid."

"Are we ready to order?" Asked the waiter who
stood over them, with is order pad in hand.

Torrid sighed, but caught a flash in Drelica's eye, as
she turned to the waiter. "Yeah, I know what we
want-show us your take-out menu." Torrid winked at
Drelica.

"Perfect." Drelica purred. "You read my
mind."

Torrid flashed a wicked smile.

Torrid and Drelica arrived back at their bungalow with
take-out and a bottle of coconut rum. It was a beautiful night,
and they decided to light the tiki torches and sit in the hammock
on the porch. All in all, it was a beautiful night, it had been a
fun day at the lava fields, and aside from the shit with
Alexander, Torrid had enjoyed herself.

"Dre, we have a few more days, " Torrid said
quietly, as she poured them each a shot of rum. "What do
you want to do next?"

"Hmmmmm-I don't know." Drelica
pondered, sipping her shot of rum. "How about we catch a
buzz and get busy?"

Torrid raised her eyebrow. "Busy doing what?"

"Busy being naughty." Drelica said
seductively.

"Why Doctor Truman, I'm shocked." Torrid
teased. "Sounds like a plan." She added as she
clinked her shot glass to Drelica's and downed her
drink.

Torrid then leaned over and kissed Drelica softly on the lips.
Torrid loved kissing Drelica. Her lips were so soft and warm, so
soothing to her soul. She craved Drelica's touch, and the
wet warmth of her mouth.
"I love kissing you, " Torrid confessed.
"Kissing you is like slipping into a warm bath of velvet
and silk."

Drelica looked deep into Torrid's eyes, and lost herself
in the blue pools. "Wow...you're such a
romantic, babe."

"Only for you." Torrid whispered, kissing Drelica
once more.

The kiss grew in intensity as the passion flames waxed, and
the take out sat forgotten as they couple retired inside to
explore the fires of love.

Fire and water melded, making steam and hot embers glowing as
passion flames raced, and were quelled, and ignited again, waxing
and waning as the pair made love over and over. Consumed by
desire, powered by want and need, and tempered with love, Torrid
and Drelica mingled their bodies, minds and spirits in perpetual
bliss til the sun awoke on the horizon and sleep had finally come
to claim them with the dawn. The great volcanic flow of the
night had bled away to a restful bliss in the afterglow.
Drelica, laying in her lover's arms, feeling needed,
wanted, loved and safe allowed her mind to wander as she faded
into the dream world.

So this is paradise.

Drelica woke up to the sun peeking through the blinds and
hitting her in the face. Her nose scrunched up in disapproval of
the sun's unwelcome intrusion. She rolled over and hugged
her pillow in an attempt to thwart the invasion of UV rays.
Damn. I gotta pee.

She lay there for a long moment debating whether to hold it
and enjoy the soft sheets, and laziness she felt, or to get her
ass up and go pee. She rolled back over to look at her sleeping
Amazon, but frowned to discover she was in the bed alone.

Where'd she go? Drelica pouted and begrudgingly rose to
go to the bathroom.

After freshening up and putting on her bathing suit and a pair
of cut offs, she stepped out onto the porch of the bungalow to
find Torrid laying in the hammock. She smiled at the sight of
her dark warrior asleep in the hammock wearing an undershirt and
a pair of weathered cargo shorts.

She leaned over and kissed Torrid on the forehead. The
softness of her lips caused Torrid to stretch and smile in her
sleep.

"So how much?"

"How much what?" Aaron Brown asked, as he sipped his
beer.

"How much will it cost me?" Alex Coburn asked as
he leaned back in his cabana chair.

"Dude, I am not a hired gun. Go hire a thug."
Aaron said.

"I'm telling you this bitch almost killed me. I
need a body guard. You've got a black belt, and
you're supposed to be an expert in that chop sake
shit-I'll pay you. All you have to do is hang out,
party with me and keep that psycho bitch away from me."

"Alex, there's more to this than you're
telling me. Who is this chick?" Aaron asked bluntly.

"Her name is Torrid Duncan. She's a nobody. A dyke
ink pusher from Texas."

Aaron froze at the mention of Torrid's name. He put his
beer on the table and leaned in close.

"Torrid Duncan?"

"Yes, that's her name."

"From Houston?"

"You know of her?" Alex asked, curious.

"I've heard her name mentioned in a few circles.
Alex, what aren't you telling me?"

"Nothing."

Aaron folded his arms over his chest and cocked his head to one
side. He knew Alex was lying.

"I swear!" Alex plead.

"Bullshit. But I'll do it. I want to find out for
myself what it is you're not telling me."

"Perfect!" Alex smiled. "Let's go to
the beach."

Torrid woke up to find Drelica petting her hair and humming to
her. She smiled and reached up and pulled Drelica into her lap in
the hammock. The two snuggled In the webbed netting for a few
moments.

"Wanna go to the beach?" Torrid asked.

"I'd love to! I can't get enough of this
beautiful place."

"I can't get enough of you." Torrid said
quietly, looking at Drelica with intent.

Drelica felt suddenly shy and she blushed and shrugged her
shoulders, grinning. "Baby..."

"What's the matter? Are you shy?" Torrid
asked, smiling softly.

"I feel shy all of a sudden. I'm not sure
why." Drelica whispered, still ducking her head.

"It's cute." Torrid said, leaning in to kiss
Drelica's forehead. "Let's go to the beach! We
can make a sand castle."

Drelica beamed "Yeah!"

Within the hour, Torrid and Dre were frolicking in the surf
and sand. Having set up a nest under a beach umbrella with a
cooler of drinks and snacks, Torrid went to work on building the
mother of all sand fortresses, while Dre went to collect exotic
seashells to decorate the castle walls with. Great fun was being
had by all; all except the two men who watched from the near by
beach bar.

"I said I'd stick around and watch your back. I
didn't say I'd hide in the bushes and spy on tourists
and pick fights with them because you got the hot for a couple of
lezzies who wouldn't put out for you."

"You're going to go over there and kick that
bitch's ass." Alex said, as he pulled out his money
clip and put $1,000 in cash down on the table.

"I'm not your whore, Coburn."

"Oh I think you are. This is a thousand bucks. If you want
to pay the back rent on your karate dojo, you'll take it
and do what I asked."

Aaron frowned. He lowered his head and considered. His honor
hung in the balance. But so did his business, his dreams and all
of his students. He needed to keep the school open. Reluctantly
he reached for the money and put it in his pocket. He stood up
and walked toward Torrid.

Torrid reached for her sand shovel, as the sun was blocked out
by a long shadow. Looking up Torrid saw the massive man standing
above her, and was quick to land on her feet in a ready
position.

"Torrid Duncan?" The man asked.

"Yeah. Who's asking?" She said dryly.

"Alex Coburn just paid me a thousand dollars to kick
your ass."

"You don't seem too thrilled about it." Torrid
said, noticing that the man seemed to be ashamed of himself for
accepting the job.

"I need the money." He said, in all honesty.

"I understand." Torrid said. "You're
welcome to try, and when I kick your ass, you can keep his money
and your honor."

Aaron raised his eyebrow at her comment.

"What makes you think you can kick my ass?" He
asked in all sincerity.

"It's not a question of thinking. I know I can. So
you want to get this over with or what? I am a little tired of my
vacation getting interrupted."

Aaron bowed politely and took an on guard position.

Torrid smiled, and returned the bow as she too took an on
guard position.

Aaron made the first offensive move, but before he knew what
hit him he was face down in the sand castle that Torrid had
labored on all morning. She stood over him offering a hand
up.

He slapped her hand away and flipped himself up onto his feet
and sprung at her with a front kick which she deflected with an
"X" block and countered with a spinning roundhouse
kick to his kidney. However, before she could put her foot down,
he managed to land a center lunge punch to her solar plexis
sending her falling backwards onto the sand pile with a thud.
This time is was he who offered her a hand up, but as she reached
for his had she also swept his legs out from under him with her
right leg, and down he went landing on his ass.

She got to her feet first. "This could go on all
day."

"Yeah." He said. " Got any beers in that
cooler?"

Torrid nodded.

Aaron reached into Torrid's cooler and pulled out two cold
beers. He tossed one to Torrid.

"Thanks." She said as opened it and took a sip.
"Mind if I ask you a question?"

"Go ahead."

"Why are you doing this? You're better than
this."

"I need the money. My dojang is behind on rent."

Torrid frowned. "There's other ways to make money,
dude."

"My students are counting on me."

"Well you're setting a poor example for your
students."

Aaron hung his head. "I know. I am at my wit's
end."

"Tell you what-I'll give you two thousand
dollars if you go throw Alex Coburn's money back in his
weasly little face."

Aaron considered. "Why are you doing this?"

"Because a tiger can't change her stripes."
Torrid said cryptically.

Aaron started, but stopped and put his feet together and
offered a sincere bow to Torrid.

"I'll do it." Aaron smiled.

"And you'll pay me back by doing one hour of
community service for every $10. You owe me." Torrid added
in all seriousness.

"Community service?" Aaron puzzled.

"Yeah-start a martial arts after school program
for underprivileged kids in your area, and we're
even."

Aaron smiled. "You are fair and wise, Torrid."

"Yeah, yeah, now get the fuck out of here before my
girlfriend comes back and gets all worried about me fighting
again."

Aaron smiled and turned to go. He spied Alex Coburn watching
nervously from the shadows of the beach bar.

"What happened?" Alex asked nervously.

"Not much. She's a good fighter." Aaron
said, sitting back down in his seat and finishing his beer.

"What the fuck does that mean? What happened? Why did
you stop fighting?" Alex was getting excited.